If you have heaving, then the glass-granite would be a concern. There should be a gap between the two, and that gap should be caulked, not grouted. The bowed wall, if the tile is over drywall, the bump could be a drywall joint compound "speed bump". But it should be gradual and not sudden, and a bump like that shouldn't cause lippage. I have seen installers who simply don't press tiles "flat" into the thinset. Some press more on the top edge of the tile, a few press more on the bottom edge of the tile. Those habits can result in "vertical lippage", but the tiles are usually consistent on the side edges. It's a backsplash and it's decorative. So a little lippage here and there, while not desirable, it's not really going to affect function. But if there are lights that reflect off the splash and it can be viewed at a low raking angle and it looks nasty? Then perhaps a "poor worksmanship" line has been crossed. The kicker though is the lack of a gap between the bottom course of glass tile and the granite. In your photo, is the cut glass tile at the j-box cracked? Might just be reflection/refraction. And for grins, the tile setter should have used a cement-based powdered thinset that is mixed with water to set the glass. Not a premixed mastic.

Thanks all for the reply. williamsem, I had the same self-doubt when I failed to find the backsplash photos from Nycbluedevil, so it was a relief to know it was not just me. :) I anxiously await the backsplash reveal. Gone_South, your backsplash is gorgeous. I saw the River Rock granite at a local yard. Although it would not work for our kitchen, I know that it would be an eye catcher anywhere you put it. Hobokenkitchen, I doubt that the cool sheet idea will work for me, but I'm sure someone who comes to this thread (now or in the future) might benefit from your information. SparklingWater, funny you brought up Monterey Aquarium. We are going there tomorrow! I'll make sure to pay attention to the tiles in the tanks! Canadian160, I'm sorry that you could not execute on the initial plan you had. It is one of my fears as well to not be able to find the large tiles I want at an affordable price. For example, my local Home Depot does not have any tile beyond 16". That says something about the uncommonness of this choice. I have not given up hope yet. I'll just have to visit some local specialty tile shops to see more choices. (One reason that it is hard for me to shop at small mom & pop stores is many of them open only during weekdays when I'm supposed to be at work. Otherwise, I'd have given them a lot more visits if they extended their hours. But then I don't want the mom & pop's to neglect their families. Catch 22?)

I charge anywhere from 22.00-48.00 a sqft for JUST INSTALL including setting materials ie mortar or masic and grout and sealer caulk. You have to remeber an no matter how basic an install it takes 2 days 3 if its done properly, waiting for grout to harden before caulk. its 2021 prices are going up it takes fuel to get to the job and back multiple times. the installer needs to recoup money and time spent getting and burning setting materials that hold your material in place and replace tools like blades and basic stuff like garbage bags and shop vac filtera lot plus alot other stuff you wouldnt even imagine.. many installers have a laborer they need to pay a livable wage and need to make a wage themselves. not to mentionthe time on your site is time away from other ones. and Let me tell yall time is MONEY.... skilled labor isnt cheap and cheap labor isnt skilled. -Justin Your Floor Guru

I agree with GD that this doesn't sound like the guy you want for tile work. If this contractor is doing the other portions of your remodel himself then I'd tell him I prefer the tile work be subbed out. Red flags start going up for me whenever a contractor tells someone what he's willing to do vs finding a way to build what you want. Charges per square foot can vary depending on where you live, and I find an upcharge of $400 to be high for 20 sq ft. I think he's quoting that because he doesn't want to deal with the design. I've installed my share of tile and don't find a brick pattern to be 6x more difficult than a straight. I'm not a professional but anyone who understands tile can figure out the design without much difficulty. I suggest you visit some tile stores (not big box) and ask for referrals for installers. Then have them come out and bid the job.